Forget birds, blossoms and longer days, perhaps the most significant harbinger of spring is the annual arrival of Girl Scout cookies.

Since 1922, the Girls Scouts of The United States America have been distributing cookies in some way or form.

Cherie Ellis, who has worked with Lancaster’s Girl Scouts for 15 years, is community development manager for Girl Scouts of South Carolina in Lancaster County. She says preliminary numbers from cookie presales are already 370 boxes more than last year.

“Valentine’s Day is a sham created by card companies to reinforce and exploit gender stereotypes,” Liz Lemon, Tina Fey’s cynical character on NBC’s sitcom “30 Rock,” tells her co-worker, Pete.

Lemon’s view on the commercialization of Valentine’s Day has become one commonly shared by those who feel the holiday is just another way greeting card companies and retailers get customers to spend money and put a monetary value on love.

Bryce Blanton, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 72, recently completed his Eagle project. Blanton’s project was to renovate the outdoor fish pond at North Elementary School and build a pergola to shade the pond. He also performed landscaping and general repairs to improve the school’s natural classroom area. Overall, 20 volunteers spent more than 120 hours to complete this project. As a scout, Branton has held leadership positions of scribe, quartermaster and librarian, and has earned 29 merit badges.

On Friday, Feb. 1, Springs Memorial Hospital will once again join the American Heart Association’s National Go Red for Women campaign and is inviting all of Lancaster and the surrounding area, both males and females, to join with them on this day by wearing the color red.

CHARLESTON – Charleston Southern University recently recognized Robert H. “Bobby” Edwards of Lancaster for his years of service to the University, most recently as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Edwards, president and owner of Catawba Fish Camp, 6131 Lancaster Highway, Fort Lawn, has been a longtime supporter of the university and has served in numerous capacities, including: the Board of Trustees, the Board of Visitors and the Buccaneer Club Board of Directors.

Canned soup is my friend. Like any ingredient – expensive or not – it is what you make of it, and let me tell you, there are some really tasty, economical casserole recipes out there that elevate the humble can of soup to an art form.